#Sotonmeetup - My first bloggers meet up experience!

A few weekends ago now I was lucky enough to attend my first ever bloggers meet up in Southampton. I live in deepest darkest Dorset and not much seems to happen round here for bloggers, so was more than happy to do the hour and a half drive to Southampton!

I’m not going to lie, that morning I was absolutely terrified and so nervous about going! Would it be really clique? Would people be friendly and talk to me? Would the fashion bloggers be judging my outfit? Would I be the oldest person there? My mind went into overdrive!

My fears were swiftly squashed and I was reminded what a drama queen I can be! Through the magic of Twitter I arranged to meet a few other bloggers at the train station, as I don’t know Southampton that well and was sure to get lost otherwise. After meeting the girls we walked to the Orange Rooms where the event was being held. We started off by having a natter and cocktails sat outside as it was such a gorgeous day.

We then headed inside and went upstairs to the Tiki Bar which had a really cool Hawaiian vibe about it. I sat at the table with the lovely Tori, Ami and Marina who were all so friendly. In the real world I don’t have any friends who blog so it was really nice to natter about all things blogging with people who completely get it.

Once we were seated it was the time for lunch, I had the Chicken Nacho Wrap with fries. It arrived on a tray in a cardboard container box which was pretty cool. It was such a good sized portion and was so cheap. Most importantly it was really delicious!

After Lunch Alice and Amy who were the beautiful ladies behind this event, held a fun raffle. We were then each given a jam packed goodie bag, seriously it was filled to the brim!

I would like to say a massive Thank You to Alice for being a fab host, she definitely has a talent for event organising! I am so glad I built up the confidence to go, I had such a lovely afternoon and I can’t wait to find out about more blogger events and meet ups which I can get involved in!  

You can take the Brit abroad but....

Ok so having just come back from Thailand, whilst there I had the realization that I'm a true Brit thro and thro! Err you are British Gem I hear some of you say?! I haven't lost the plot I promise, I just mean I am very British in terms of some of my traits, and thought I'd share with you!

 I queue for things! I think it's polite to stand in line and wait your turn. I hate it when people barge in and don't wait! It seems to be something very British.

I apologize for EVERYTHING! Really, absolutely everything even when it’s not my fault or something you don’t actually have to say sorry for! What is it with that?!

I am health and safety conscious! It’s ridiculous, in Thailand I nearly had heart failure over their lack of awareness and risk taking when it comes to driving and staying next to a construction site, no one wore anyone safety gear! CRAZY!

I HEART tea... I didn't think I was really a tea lover until I go abroad and realise at home I actually drink quite a lot of tea and no where makes a good brew like the British. The Thais kept putting condensed milk in every tea I ordered!!! Bleurgh!!!

 I am actually pretty punctual, I never think I am until I go abroad. You tell me the pick up is at 10am, cool I’ll be there for 9:50am ready and waiting! Oh wait, you mean roughly 10am so quite possible you may be there 2 hours later?! Many countries I have visited are like this, I mean I’m not some regimented loony but I like to roughly know a plan and I’m not particularly a fan of waiting!

We talk about the weather ALOT, I’ve noticed most Brits abroad do this. ‘Hey I’m Gemma, from the Uk. Wow isn’t the weather fab today!’ it’s like programmed into us as a conversation starter!

 I need personal space, didn’t think I was that fussy about until I was rammed into a tiny bus for 10 people that had about 50 people wedged in/on/around it!

Sarcasm – who knew I fitted into this one?! The British sarcasm is something I love, other countries don’t seem to get it, AT ALL. I have often piped up with a sarcastic one liner think it was pretty funny, to have it fallen on deaf ears, the other person to assume I was rude, or just pure confusion!

Inability to complain and a stiff upper lip. I often been jealous of other nationalities ability to be upfront and able to complain and stand up for themselves. We Brits don’t want to seem impolite!

I get embarrassed talking about money! Making me a useless haggler! This often comes up when I abroad, when I want to buy something, tipping people etc. I think in the UK moneys one of those subjects we are just not comfortable discussing.

Can you relate to any of these? Do you have a trait I haven’t thought of?

P.S Have you checked out my ‘800 Bloglovin followers Giveaway’ yet? You could win a MAC Lipstick in ‘Plumful’, Kylie Minogue ‘Pink Sparkle’  Eau De Toilette, a Tangle Teezer ‘The Original’ Detangling Hairbrush and a Nail Rock Glitter and Polish Set... so what are you waiting for?

The search for the most stylish man in somerset // An interview with Jeff Banks

Todays post is something a little different from me and features a road trip, some dapper looking me and a legendary fashion designer, I hope you all enjoy it! A couple of weekends ago now I was invited to Clarks Village in Street, Somerset to meet Jeff Banks and attend his event ‘JEFF BANKS SEARCHES FOR THE BEST DRESSED MAN IN SOMERSET’. If you not heard of Clarks Village it’s a great place that has tons of discount stores of your favourite brands, it’s a shopaholic’s heaven! I'm also a bit of a fan of Jeff Banks, if you've not heard of him (where have you been?!) he is a British fashion designer whose had a very long and successful career in the industry and his designs are very stylish, sleek, showcasing traditional tailoring with a modern twist.

I live about an hour’s drive from Street, and my brother lives about 10 minutes away so I picked him up along the way and dragged him with me! The event started at 12 noon with all the gentlemen entering the competition lined up outside Jeff’s shop, which sales Jeffs Mens wear collection. Four judges, including myself got to choose which 10 entrants could go on to become finalists, who all received a £250 makeover from Jeff Banks himself!

It was a tough choice choosing the top ten as there was a lot of stylish men in street that day!

After the top 10 had been suited and booted, they then modelled their new outfits for the audience with Jeff describing the outfits he had chosen. I have to say the competition was high, as they as looked pretty suave! Who doesn't love a man in a suit?! It was then up to panel of judges to decide on the overall winner, who would win a weekend away for two in Paris and a £500 Jeff Banks watch (…not jealous at all!!).

The overall winner, crowned with the title of ‘Most Stylish Man in Somerset’ was a local lad from Street, called Connor Derbridge who was encouraged by his gorgeous girlfriend to enter!

To top off the day, Jeff Banks kindly answered a few questions I had….

This event was to find the most stylish man in Somerset, what were you looking for?

A GREAT LOOKING GUY WHO WANTS TO RE INVENT HIS IMAGE

How would you define 'style'?

STYLE IS PERSONAL IT DEFINITELY IS NOT FASHION IT IS ALL ABOUT WHAT IS PERSONAL TO YOU.

What celebrities do you think have the ultimate style?

JOHNNY DEPP, KEITH RICHARDS, BRAD PITT, JAKE BUGG AND WILL I AM

You have had a very long and successful career, what has been the high point for you so far?

STILL BEING HERE!

What would you say is the secret of your success?

MY QUIET, SHY, RETIRING PERSONALITY

What one piece of advice would you give to budding fashion designers?

DON’T DO IT! LEAVE IT TO JEFF

I would like to say a big Thank You to Jeff for taking the time to answer my questions. It was a really fun day out, and fascinating to watch how Jeff works. My day was then topped off by a late lunch over in Glastonbury with my brother! Do you have any British Fashion designers you admire and that have stood the test of time?

P.S Have you checked out my ‘800 Bloglovin followers Giveaway’ yet? You could win a MAC Lipstick in ‘Plumful’, Kylie Minogue ‘Pink Sparkle’  Eau De Toilette, a Tangle Teezer ‘The Original’ Detangling Hairbrush and a Nail Rock Glitter and Polish Set... so what are you waiting for?

Nails // Avon Speed Dry Polish in Enchanted Siren

 

Now I haven’t purchased anything from Avon from years, it reminds me of my Nan. It’s a brand I association with the olders in my life so it doesn’t really come across my radar. However a friend of mine recently became an ‘Avon Lady’ and handed me a brochure, of course out of kindness to my friend I promised to have a gander.

Well I was pleasantly surprised and came across a few nail polishes that caught my attention. One of them being today’s polish, its Avon Speed Dry Polish in Enchanted Siren. It is a fab mint green with pearl coloured glitter specks in it. It’s such a gorgeous shade that reminds me of mermaids and mystical creatures.

I also think it’s a great quality polish that has a nice application dress, dry’s really quickly (yey!) and is pretty long lasting! I am definitely going to give more of Avon’s products a try in the future, anyone have any recommendations?

 

P.S Have you checked out my ‘800 Bloglovin followers Giveaway’ yet? You could win a MAC Lipstick in ‘Plumful’, Kylie Minogue ‘Pink Sparkle’  Eau De Toilette, a Tangle Teezer ‘The Original’ Detangling Hairbrush and a Nail Rock Glitter and Polish Set... so what are you waiting for?

 

Motivational Monday #16

 

THIS!! This quote just sums me up completely! I am terrible for putting this off or not doing them at all as I think I can’t, or I won’t be good enough or people will laugh...

I am really trying hard to overcome this, focus on myself and do things I love. Its time focus on myself and what I want to do. Whether that is in terms of my writing, jewellery making, or life in general I am determined to give things ago. I want to say YES more, no matter how scared or anxious I get. The thing I need to remind myself is if I don’t give things ago then how will I ever know? And who wants to live a life of what ifs?

Happy Monday lovelies!

P.S Have you checked out my ‘800 Bloglovin followers Giveaway’ yet? You could win a MAC Lipstick in ‘Plumful’, Kylie Minogue ‘Pink Sparkle’  Eau De Toilette, a Tangle Teezer ‘The Original’ Detangling Hairbrush and a Nail Rock Glitter and Polish Set... so what are you waiting for?

800 Bloglovin Followers Giveaway!

Holy Macaroni!! I can’t actually believe I now have 800 followers on bloglovin! When I started this blog I was so clueless to the blogging community. I didn’t even know there was one, let alone that everyone was so supportive or that you could even have ‘followers’!

I started ‘Lipsticks and Lashes’ as a little space on the internet to write, vent, indulge in a bit of creativity and improve my photography, it was all for selfish, personal reasons. I never once expected anyone to stop by and read my waffling!

I feel honoured, flattered and even blessed that such lovely people pop by for a read, take the time to comment, email me and tweet me. So I would like to take the opportunity to give you guys something back and do my first ever giveaway!

So here is what I have up for grabs.....

A MAC Lipstick in ‘Plumful’

Kylie Minogue ‘Pink Sparkle’  Eau De Toilette

Tangle Teezer ‘The Original’ Detangling Hairbrush in bright pink

Nail Rock Glitter and Polish Set in Glitter Dust Pink

These are some of my favourite products so I hope you’re as excited by this giveaway as I am!

This giveaway is open internationally and you can enter by using the raffle copter below. Winners will be announced at the end of the month! I will be checking the winner is genuine and not some made up account!

Good Luck lovelies!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Its okay when travelling to...

Since returning from Thailand I've faced quite a few people saying 'anything you regret not seeing?' 'Oooh you missed out by not going to.....'. This has been something I've come across a lot when I've been travelling, and I've learnt to not be bothered because when traveling its ok to do your own thing. You shouldn’t feel guilty! Here are my top 5 things that it’s ok to do when travelling… feel free to add your own in the comments box, I would love to hear them!

• To have a day off! From visiting wherever/whatever the local attraction is. If you want a lazy day that is Ok! Go chill on the beach or laze around your hostel, it’s great to see as much as you can but you need some you time and if that means doing sweet FA then that’s cool!

• To have a Macy d's or Starbucks! I love trying other cultures local cuisine but sometimes you just need a home comfort, something where you aren’t risking the runs! My guilty pleasure is a Starbucks when I’m travelling, you can’t beat a good coffee!

• To miss things out! If something that’s supposed to be ‘oh so amazing’ doesn’t take your fancy or you just don’t have enough time then if you skip an attraction or whatever it may be that is okay! It’s your trip and you should do what you want to do not what everyone else recommends!

• To follow the road not so travelled... Everyone's got an opinion on where's best to travel and where you should visit but if you don't go there its ok!! Some of my best travelling experiences have come from venturing off the usual path.

• To sleep till mid-day! I’ve fallen into the trap where I’ve tried to fit way too much into a trip and didn’t take any time out. If you want to sleep till mid-day you do it! It’s your trip and you shouldn’t feel bad for any choices you make! Also I love my sleep so throw in a long lie in here and there (especially after a heavy night out!) and I’m one happy lady!